A drunk Glentoran fan who was refused entry to Coleraine Showgrounds was seen arguing with a man outside a nearby pub before he urinated in view of members of the public, a court heard on Monday.
At Coleraine Magistrates Court Matthew Upton (20), a chef, of Fernbank Drive, Bangor, pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly and indecent behaviour.
The court heard it was his first time in an adult court but he had 15 convictions from the youth court including possession of fireworks and flares at a football match which was before a judge in 2016.
A prosecutor told Monday’s court Coleraine were playing Glentoran on February 23 this year and the defendant was refused entry to the ground.
Upton argued with a man at a nearby pub and then urinated in public view on a street and was extremely intoxicated and unsteady on his feet.
He was with his father who said they had travelled to Coleraine by coach.
The defendant argued with police and was warned to calm down as he was being ushered back to the coach.
Defence barrister Francis Rafferty said Upton “didn’t cover himself in glory” and had made an “absolute fool of himself”.
“He was refused entry to a football match and would not listen to police or his father,” added the lawyer.
Upton’s dad was with him in court.
Mr Rafferty said the defendant realises the type of behaviour has to stop and he regretted how he behaved and wished to apologise.
Looking at Upton’s previous record, District Judge Peter King said it seemed the defendant could not go a football match without getting into trouble.
The defendant was fined £250.
